Saturday, 29 November 2014

A week ago I visited the annual Bird Fair at Martin Mere. On the way I called to see some cats at a rescue centre at Tarleton.One of the cats "Mitch" is now living with me.Mitch is a lively young cat and will certainly keep me on my toes as he settles in.An image of Mitch is shown above

I always enjoy a visit to the Bird Fair meeting up with fellow birdwatchers and photographers and enjoying looking at the various stalls selling books,holidays,artwork and so on.There was just time later in the day to pay a quick visit to the Swan Link Hide to see the birds on show .Lots of whooper swans are now present and they are fed daily giving nice close views. I didn't have my usual big lens with me and the images above were taken with a small compact camera. I was pleased with the images of the ruff showing the lovely plumage highlighted by the setting sun.The sunset too was memorable and made a nice ending to a good day out.Thanks for looking in and I hope to get out and about again soon.

Friday, 21 November 2014

After last week's upsets this week has been much better.I am thinking of getting another cat and have been to look at some currently residing at the Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary at St.Annes.

On the wildlife front Tuesday was a very pleasant day with light winds and sunshine.I decided on a visit to Yarrow Valley Country Park near Chorley.I had noticed that the regular kingfisher was appearing daily and would hopefully provide some opportunities for the camera.On arrival at the fishing spot the kingfisher prefers ,the news was that it had been showing well but had departed. However there was not long to wait for it's return and myself and the other assembled photographers were then treated to it posing for the next three quarters of an hour or so.We all " filled our boots " with many images and some video of the lovely male kingfisher.The spot it chooses to visit is unfortunately in a dark gulley and makes for difficult photography to obtain the correct exposures and shutter speeds.I am however quite pleased with the results and my better efforts are posted above.

The three jays have also been visiting my garden on a daily basis for peanuts I have put out for them.Again giving great opportunities for the camera and photographed from my bedroom window.They do seem to take peanuts like there is no tomorrow and will be stashing them away for when the colder weather arrives.Again a few more images above of these colourful but very shy birds.Thanks for looking in and hopefully more next week from Lancashire's wildlife.

Saturday, 15 November 2014

It has not been the happiest of weeks for me this week.I have sadly lost my companion,my lovely cat Molly. Molly has been a wonderful pet and friend for the last fourteen years and will be very much missed.She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday.A few images are shown above of Molly in happier times.

On a lighter note I have been visited on a regular basis this week by three jays.They have been coming for the peanuts I have put out for them.They gave me some nice opportunities for shots with the camera.These normally very shy and difficult to photograph birds certainly brightened up what has been a difficult week.A few images of the jays are shown above.Thanks for looking in and hopefully I will return to normal soon and post more of Lancashire's wildlife.

Friday, 7 November 2014

This week on one of the better days,dry and bright,for a change,I visited Martin Mere.On my last visit some weeks ago there were no whooper swans present.With the recent change in the weather with more typical autumnal weather, the swans have now left their breeding grounds in Iceland. I understand the whoopers have had an excellent breeding season and are now arriving in family parties at their favoured wintering grounds.

Martin Mere is one of their favoured ares of the country. As well as left over potatoes,carrots etc remaining in the fields of West Lancashire they are fed on a daily basis with grain at Martin Mere. There are now close on one thousand whooper swans in the area and it was a delight to catch up with these special winter visitors. I enjoyed myself with the camera trying for some nice flight shots as the swans flew in from the surrounding areas.

I have shown my efforts above and have also shown a flock of teal taking flight as they were harried by a passing marsh harrier. Thanks for looking in and let's hope for some better weather for the weekend,it is currently pouring down as I write my blog.

Thursday, 6 November 2014

It has been a few weeks since I posted on my blog.I thought I would show a few images from Bowland in the Summer not previously published.My followers will no doubt be aware of the plight of the Hen Harrier in Bowland. This Summer the hen harriers returned to breed and were successful but sadly not long after the youngsters fledged two birds went missing.These birds were satellite tagged and they both vanished at the same time whilst still in Bowland and no trace has been found of the birds or the transmitters.This would all point to them probably being shot on neighbouring grouse moors.A very sad state of affairs especially after all the care and attention they received whilst still being fed by their parents.A twenty four hour watch was kept at the nesting location until the young birds had flown.Young harriers from another Bowland nest are still alive as I write and hopefully more harriers will return next year to breed again.Shown above are a couple of record shots of a female harrier hunting the moor not far away from one of the nesting locations.

I have also shown some shots of a male ring ouzel which Paul Foster and I came across on one of our safaris into Bowland. Ring ouzels,or mountain blackbirds as I like to call them ,are very difficult to approach so I was particularly pleased to obtain a few shots.A lot of the praise for these images was down to Paul Foster's excellent fieldcraft and determination to photograph these very shy birds.Paul returned the following day with his hide and obtained more excellent shots.

Finally some images of a roe deer hind which I came across one evening on one of my drives through Bowland.It was some distance away but the long lens on a beanbag from the car window did the trick.One of my favourite British mammals and always a challenge to obtain decent images of these very wary animals. Thanks for looking in and I should return soon with more from Lancashire's wildlife.